<p>Ive been on this board for some time but always felt intimidated because my daughter was not applying to HYP or any other top ranked schools. However, we do have a dilemma about her final choice and
Id appreciate advice in helping her with this decision.</p>
<p>My daughter is a good student in a very competitive high school, NHS but not top 20. In addition to many ECs, she works part time as a bank teller (20-30 hours per week) She has always said she wanted to be a vet, but has now changed her mind.
The colleges at the top of her list, places where she said she could see herself going were University of Delaware, Lehigh and University of Rhode Island, all very different with very different rankings also.</p>
<p>Well, now that the dust has settled, these are her results:</p>
<p>Lehigh rejected, but we knew this was a reach
University of Delaware rejected
University of Rhode Island accepted scholarship and honors program
Fairfield University accepted good financial aid package
She was also accepted at Rowan and Hartford but has no interest in either.
Her choice is between Fairfield, and RI. </p>
<p>Her problem is that she is truly undecided as to major and this made applying and choosing a college difficult. URI will give her more choices of a major.
Fairfield is a better school academically. Fairfield wasnt in her top three initially, but now that weve visited she likes it a lot.<br>
Even though she got a scholarship at URI, Fairfields aid package consisted of grants that make both schools roughly the same in cost. </p>
<p>Questions: At this level, does rank and reputation matter? What would you consider important in helping me help her make this decision?</p>
<p>I'm not familiar with U of Rhode Island but I am somewhat familiar with Fairfield (my dad went to Fairfield Prep and Fairfield U back in the 40's-50s!)
I graduated from a Jesuit university myself and my son is considering attending one.</p>
<p>I think a Jesuit education and the connection sometimes felt between alumni of same can be valuable in networking after graduation. If you're not catholic and/or not familiar with the jesuits, it's worth it to look it up. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ajcunet.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ajcunet.edu/</a></p>
<p>Fairfield is a nice place, a little off the beaten path but from what I remember there is a train to NYC in the town and a shuttle from the college to the town. </p>
<p>If you're in NJ, which I guessed b/c of Rowan - the ride up to CT can be a breeze or the worst.</p>
<p>I think it may be a fallacy that someone who doesn't know what they want to major in needs to go to a school with more majors. In fact, that can make it HARDER to decide on a major, not easier. And, lets face it, she only needs ONE major, not 50. A smaller school with fewer majors can sometimes make it easier to focus in on a major, especially if the school has decent and personalized advising --- if you suddenly decide you want to major in say...ancient archeology...you can always transfer or specialize in graduate school.</p>
<p>Both U of Rhode Island and Fairfield have good academics, both have more than enough majors for most people to choose from. I guess I'd recommend picking the school that has the overall atmosphere she prefers. </p>
<p>Tip: Tell her you have decided that she should absolutely positively go to one or the other. If she reacts with "but I like school X better because..." you'll know she has a real underlying preference. Listen to that preference.</p>